More fun in the Valley

Thursday was a cold, windy day.  I walked around the park before going to perform with the kitchen.  I almost didn’t make it.  I had gone to the park library to call our broker, Clayton.  We made some decisions as to what to do with some excess money from a stock sale when I saw Evelyn drive out of the park, headed for the Ratama Manor nursing home.  I went to the main hall and found a friend who was willing to drive me there.  I almost rode my bike but had my music folder and would have ridden into a strong north wind.  We all sang for half an hour, entertaining the residents.  I have been assigned the job of playing the “bass fiddle” (I will try to post a picture late) and sing “Celito Lindo” in Spanish.  Most of the residents there are Hispanic Americans and probably laughed to hear the geezer gringo sing in Espanol.  We returned and I waited all afternoon for Armand to come to ask if I wanted to go golfing.  He never came and I never went to ask him.  I joked with him that we were both hiding, afraid the other might want to play.  We then went to the “Welcome Back” dinner provided by the park owners each year.  It was brisket this year catered by a park resident who owns the local Fat Daddy’s restaurant.  We were home in time to see Purdue lose to Wisconsin.  I have also been working to tweak the message for Sunday.  I am blessed to preach at 2 parks this week.

The top picture is of the park volunteers who prepared, distributed and cleaned up the catered dinner.  The bottom is of Evelyn kibitzing with the people we ate with.  We waited more than half an hour for our table number to be called and had a good time laughing with the others.

Friday is our normal hospital volunteer day.  This Friday was also my day at the doctor.  I walked to his office so Evelyn could attend the Silver Sneaker class.  My bloodwork from last Friday showed good cholesterol levels, etc and my hand was no longer swollen and painful so I had the doctor give me a digital prostate exam (my Christmas Goose").  He declared I was ok there too.  Much of the time left was spent in discussing the sale of the local hospital.  We are both against it.  I walked on to the hospital about an hour early and got ahead on my Bible reading.  Evelyn brought lunch for me to eat before taking my position at the information desk.  She worked at the Foundation again.  We had a fairly busy day.  We went to the Elks lodge for what has become a weekly ritual: getting a carryout of their catfish and shrimp combo.  We brought it home, ate, and went to the hall where we worked at the final Friday night dance.  Evelyn’s arm hurt, so we didn’t dance very much.  We were home by 10:30.

We have guests coming for lunch tomorrow and will have to rise early to prepare.